IdentificationThe blackeye goby, named for its distinctively prominent black eyes, can also be identified by the black spot at the front tip of its dorsal fin, the low crest that runs from behind its eyes to its dorsal fin, and its large scales. It has an elongated and light greenish, brownish, or tan body, and gets to 15 cm long. Like other gobies its pelvic fins are fused into a cone, which assists its pectoral fins in supporting it while it rests on sand or rock between swims. On the blackeye goby this cone, also called a pelvic disc, is also black.

Habitat & RangeThe blackeye goby is found in sandy-bottomed habitats near rocks, from the intertidal to 106 m deep. Its range extends from southern Alaska to northern Mexico.

Intriguing InfoOne male and several females will form permanent 'harem groups.' The male prepares a spawning site under a rock, raises his fins in part of a mating ritual that attracts females into this crevice, and then guards the nest after the female lays her eggs. A female will deposit up to 1700 of the tiny pink eggs at one time.